Outfit for lunch with recruiter (first meeting)

[Sotiris]

So next week I'm meeting with a new recruiter for lunch on a Friday. I've been unemployed for far too long (in the finance industry - Boston).

We were originally going to meet in his office Monday, but today it changed to lunch Friday.

Do I still wear basic interview attire (charcoal suit, light blue shirt, navy/lightblue pin dot tie, black oxfords) - or do I dress it down a bit with a SC? I have a nice brown SC I can wear with a tie and gray or tan slacks.

Leaning towards standard interview attire, but not too sure. This recruiter seems to know many of my old contacts, so I'd especially like to make a good impression. Thank you.

 

[cptjeff]

I would suit up.

 

[ter1413]

Famous man once said:
"You never get a second chance to make a first impression!"
Suit!

 

[Sotiris]

I suppose in hindsight, it is a silly question. I guess I'm just second guessing a lot at this point since it's been well over a year of no job.

 

[ter1413]

Go into it as if it's an interview...

 

[idfnl]

Originally Posted by Sotiris

I suppose in hindsight, it is a silly question. I guess I'm just second guessing a lot at this point since it's been well over a year of no job.

Initial reactions are usually correct. People generally start being neurotic after that, often called second guessing. You need a job, right? What is going to convey that best, a suit right? Suit it is.

 

[Sotiris]

Thanks all for answering a silly question. How about a follow up:

Also having lunch Tuesday with an old boss/mentor of mine. He's been occasionally giving me advise, but wouldn't be hiring me. Not sure yet if it will be in the city or suburbs (if he works from home that day). Still wear the suit?

If it's the suburbs and he's working from home that day - is that the time for SC? And if so, tie or no tie?

 

[Achilles_]

Originally Posted by Sotiris

Thanks all for answering a silly question. How about a follow up:

Also having lunch Tuesday with an old boss/mentor of mine. He's been occasionally giving me advise, but wouldn't be hiring me. Not sure yet if it will be in the city or suburbs (if he works from home that day). Still wear the suit?

If it's the suburbs and he's working from home that day - is that the time for SC? And if so, tie or no tie?

Do you know how he dresses/how he will be dressed when he's meeting you?

 

[ter1413]

IMO:
home = sportcoat
lunch out = suit(once never knows who one can/will bump into.

 

[JayJay]

As others have stated, treat it as you would any other interview. Wear a suit.

 

[cbbuff]

Originally Posted by JayJay

As others have stated, treat it as you would any other interview. Wear a suit.

This.

 

[TheTukker]

Suit.

 

[TimelesStyle]

Is this a headhunter or is this a firm's recruiter? Also, how senior were you/what kind of position were you in when you were laid off?

If you were an analyst/associate and are now looking for a more similar role, I'd say dress one level above the recruiter, but if you were more senior I think it might be appropriate to dress for the job you are planning on going into.

As for lunch with the old boss, go with the level of formality he'll go with. Otherwise it looks like you're really desperate and are about to ask him to hire you back. If he's going to show up in a sweater, do the same, if he's a suit guy, go suit.

 

[ALFAMALE]

suit

 

[idfnl]

Originally Posted by Sotiris

Thanks all for answering a silly question. How about a follow up:

Also having lunch Tuesday with an old boss/mentor of mine. He's been occasionally giving me advise, but wouldn't be hiring me. Not sure yet if it will be in the city or suburbs (if he works from home that day). Still wear the suit?

If it's the suburbs and he's working from home that day - is that the time for SC? And if so, tie or no tie?

In this instance, I'd probably not wear a suit. You'd look a real ape if he came in jeans and a t shirt and you were decked out.

No tie, no dress shirt. Nice pair of pants, shoes, maybe a polo and a blazer. That way if he's underdressed you you can whip the jacket off.